Can I file a law suit against my school?????????

Question

So I'm 13, and i was in Kindergarten, 1st grade, 6th and 7th in the same school. For 8th grade I'm going to a different school. My old school (the one I want to file the suit against), is a Catholic private school in Chicago.

I'm not trying to be vain, but I know that I have a beautiful voice. I do professional singing at a very prestigeous classical vocal studio. I sing at a college level and numerous adults and children say I have a beautiful voice. That of equal to, and greater than an adult.

So anyways, the reason I want to file a law suit against the school, is racism and prejudice. I am East Indian, and a Hindu.

Two years in a row, I did not make it in the school musical. Producer: Middle School religion teacher (from my school)
Conductor: Middle School music teacher (from my school)
Coreographer: 2nd grade boy's teacher (from my school)
Director: An actor friend of the rest of those people

All of those people are white Christians.

The first time, in 6th grade, when I was not selected, I didn't have my mom call and ask why I didn't get a role. I just had to deal with it, but I was depressed for two weeks straight.

The second time, I'd had enough. I did make my mom call the director. The director said I wasn't funny enough and I did not act well. That cannot be true because at all my other schools, I had always gotten the lead role because I've been taking drama classes since I was 5 years old. She even said herself that my voice is better than her own, and she does have a great voice. And honestly, my voice is better than hers. She also heard me sing during religion class when I sang "Ave Maria".

The annoying this is, that everyone expects me to get the lead role because I sing and act so wonderfully. People always have a smile on their face when I walk out of the results room because they are confident that I got a great role...and they are disappointed when I don't. I'm talking about my classmates.

All of the people who got lead rolls, usually either have their parents bribe the musical comittee into giving them a lead roll. Or they're just really "popular" kids, or they have other generations of their family go to that school, donate a lot of money to the school, or are the children of faculty/staff of the school. Mostly, they're all white Christians.

The only non white, non Christian girl who got the role of Elsa in the Sound of Music, was an East Indian Hindu. But there were some differences. She was super super popular, and nice, and she was the vice president on the student council. She also would never admit a whole lot that she was Hindu...like she was ashamed of it. She would never tell anyone unless they seriously asked, and all the teachers liked her. Like, in religion class, if a teacher put down my religion, I would stand up for my religion. This girl would not.


So I'm seriously guessing it's racism or/and prejudice.

And I'm not overrating myself. I do have a beautiful voice, and I can act. People are always stunned and speechless after I sing and act. And they're always MUSICALS, so you'd think music is the key thing there. I also have a TON more experience than the other kids. I sing in English, Italian, Russian, German and Latin. I have nearly 30 songs in my portfolio, and in just two years of classical training, I've come a LONG way. I'm the youngest person in the studio. All the rest of the people are just out of college.

So what do you think?

Could I possible file a law suit against that school for alleged racism or something like that?

Please, only serious answers!

Sorry this took so long!

Answer 1

The thing is - how will you be able to prove your point?

I mean - has anyone told you outright " you is not white - you not getting the role" (or something to that effect) and do you have witnesses of this?

Otherwise, this will be a he said - she said thing - and the school will claim that they got the best person for the roles - and that you didn`t have this/that/theother that the chosen person did have.

While it hurts getting rejected - i would advise you to forget about this. You have said you are going to a new school, why not get a fresh start there.
Don`t dwell on the stupidity of others, but take 'revenge' by succeeding in life.
That really is the best way to show off that you are NOT a loser - but better than them - in many ways.

Going to court over this - i think it will be counterproductive.
It will cost you a lot of money, and energy.
Stupidity cannot be cured that way , i`m afraid.

Answer 2

If you believe that acting roles always go to the best actress or singer then you will have a very difficult life ahead of you if you choose to go into acting or singing as a professional. There are many factors that go into choosing a particular person to fill a role. The person's ability is just 1 factor. In this case, your abilities may actually be superior as you like to think but the other factors important to the people assigning roles were just as important.
Or perhaps you weren't chosen because the stage wasn't big enough for your head & the other actors. Regardless of your abilities, from what you have written, there maybe a real concern about how well you would get along with the others. Maybe there is a concern with how you would outshine the others. In a production with 10 actors, if just one is head & shoulders above the others, it could ruin the entire production. The audience member may remember or comment on just the one while negatively commenting on all the others.

BUT.... go ahead & find yourself an attorney. There are lots of attorney's looking for clients. Get your parent's checkbook out & go for it. Just what is it you expect to win anyway? IF you are as superior as you claim, not being selected for a school production will not harm your career at all.

It is a harsh world but not everything that displeases you is worthy of a lawsuit.

Answer 3

I am sure you are sincere in your belief that you are very talented. Perhaps you are. You certainly sound hard-working. It might be that there is an element of racism, but it is at least as likely that the cold hard truth is that there are other very talented people in your school, people whose talents give them an edge in auditioning for a school musical. It does sound like fantasy to think there is bribery and corruption such that the most talented person in the entire school cannot even get a bit part in the musical. I can't imagine an opera singer being cast into a school musical, for example. Or a great singer who can't act. And then there is another problem -- if you really are worlds better than all the other students, would all the others in the entire cast look awful next to you? Can you see the problem there -- It's a school musical, not a showcase for one talented person.

Answer 4

Well you had me thinking you might be right until you mentioned the girl who got the role as Elsa. If the issue was racism or religion, she would not have been cast.

I have been a singer all my life and involved in many plays, musicals, choirs and other group activities. It is possible that you are not being cast because, although you are solo star material, the directors/producers feel you would not work well in the collaborative group environment.

Your strong personality may scare them, so they choose other students who have shown that they are able to relate to others well and work on a team.

Sure, some of it may be about money, or politics, or religion or even race. But I really think it is more about attitude. Along with developing your musical and acting skills, try improving your people skills. You may be surprised at the results.

Answer 5

i have been involved in music and music group for most of my life. the role does not always go to the best singer or the best voice. sometimes the role calls for a unique quality especially if it is a comedic role.

i seriously don't think it is a personal vendetta but it do not know the circumstances. another factor is the question will the people involved work well together as it is hard to manage practices and rehearsals.

perhaps you could talk with the teacher personally and ask for the input on how you might improve you skills. as you know that constructive criticism is how artist improve and is a part of your development.

as i say, i don't know all the particulars but if you feel your talent isn't being used..i suggest that you find if your area has a local community theater and audition for parts as most will welcome dedicated people for their productions. i always enjoyed being in the plays and musicals my local theater put on and met some really wonderful interesting people.

Answer 6

You can file a lawsuit, but there's no way you're going to get anywhere. Selecting someone for a role in a performance is very subjective. Even if there is a clear pattern of selecting people of a certain race, it is not illegal because the race of a person makes a huge difference in the performance. It is perfectly legal to restrict auditions to people of a certain physical description, and that includes race.

Answer 7

Okay ive never sued anybody in my life. Im not the sue happy type of person. I actually read everything you wrote. I would sue them. The problem is, what are your damages.

Discrimination against religion is hard to prove, but its almost impossible when you go to a Catholic School. If they dont get money from the Federal Government they can say you didnt get the part because you were Hindu. Is it discrimination? Hell yes. Is it illegal? No. But since they allowed you in school and know you were Hindu I think you could still sue them.

It will probably be dismissed. But I bet you could get a Hindu Attorney to file for you. I would call a couple radio or news stations. I dont think anybodies going to care really. If you were that good at 13, you would be insulted for them even asking you to be in their stupid play.

You live in Chicago for hells sakes, you should be in an arts school at your age if you are that good. Why are you even still at that Catholic School. You should be preparing for Broadway. If you are that good. If your not that Good. Let it drop.

If you are that good sue them and go to juilliard, or the chicago equivalent. If you cant get in there, you will have absolutely no case against your catholic school.

Sorry. Good luck in whatever you do.

Answer 8

I am sick of people using the race card every time they don't get what they want.
So you didn't get the lead who cares, you need to grow up and let your head deflate a little.
Maybe the reason you did not get the leads were because you were not right for the part, it's not necessarily the best singer or actor who land the lead but the person who has charisma and stage presence.
From now on every time I don't get what I want I am going to assume it's because I'm white{sounds stupid doesn't it}.

Answer 9

You can't prove that bribes were made and you can't prove that you didn't get the role just because you aren't white. Just because you don't get what you want, it doesn't mean everyone else is racist. How would you like it if someone filed a lawsuit against you in your own country, just because you got the lead role and they didn't? That's what I thought. So no, you can't do anything.

Answer 10

Stella,

Is it really about getting that role or meeting other people's expectations and what do they think of you???

You don't have to be perfect in order to be loved.

That school's musical is probably not that good anyway. How about you starting your own studio in school and running your own musical??? This way you will be the one deciding who gets the roles/